Eberechi Eze’s Struggles to Secure a Starting Position at Arsenal

Eberechi Eze has accumulated a mere 23 minutes on the pitch during Arsenal’s last six Premier League fixtures.

Eze experienced a highlight during Arsenal’s season when he netted a hat-trick in a 4-1 victory over local rivals Tottenham in November. However, he now faces challenges in breaking back into the starting lineup.

In these six league matches, Eze was an unused substitute in four of them. The England international joined Arsenal from Crystal Palace in August for £67 million, primarily to enhance the creativity of Arsenal’s attack. His propensity for shooting and his knack for breaking down defenses add a unique flair to the forward line that is not widely replicated within the squad.

This makes it particularly perplexing that he managed just over 10 minutes in the recent goalless draws against Nottingham Forest and Liverpool, during which Arsenal did not concede a single shot on target.

If Eze is not utilized when Arsenal is in need of a breakthrough, questions surrounding his fit within Mikel Arteta’s tactical setup will undoubtedly continue.

Despite having contributed five goals and four assists in 26 appearances for Arsenal this season, Eze has not found the back of the net since his impressive display against Spurs.

The 27-year-old’s only starts in 2023 have come in the FA Cup victory against Portsmouth on January 11 and the Champions League win over Inter Milan last Tuesday. In the latter match, Eze played 64 minutes and was instrumental in the Gunners’ first goal during a 3-1 triumph; however, his overall performance did not stand out.

A significant factor contributing to Eze’s difficulty in regaining a starting position is the return of Martin Odegaard. The Arsenal captain returned to full fitness at the end of November and has been a key player in eight of the ten Premier League games since. Both players occupy similar positions, and starting both in the lineup would mean omitting either Declan Rice or Martin Zubimendi, both of whom are vital to Arsenal’s midfield.

Eze can also operate from the left wing, a position where he previously excelled at Crystal Palace, albeit in a more central role. However, his opportunities there are limited due to the outstanding form of Leandro Trossard, who has emerged as one of Arsenal’s top performers this season.

Arteta has previously acknowledged this competition for places, yet he maintains that Eze possesses the adaptability to excel in various roles on the field. “He is that intelligent, and that good as a footballer, that he can occupy any space. I am more driven to decide where he plays in relation to the players around him than his position,” Arteta remarked prior to the recent draw against Liverpool.

Eze’s starts from the left wing have been scarce, and during his last appearance in that position against Aston Villa on December 6, he was partially responsible for the opening goal in a 2-1 defeat.

Arteta has praised Eze’s exceptional performance during his time out of the starting XI, noting that his determination has only intensified. By the year’s start, the manager stated that Eze had logged more playing time than at any previous season’s equivalent stage.

This assertion holds true for his Premier League career; by January, he had appeared in five more matches and accumulated 75 additional minutes compared to the previous year at Palace, although he had not reached this level during his time at QPR in the Championship in 2019-20.

Arsenal is enjoying a successful season, sitting seven points clear in the Premier League and maintaining a perfect record in the Champions League. They also lead Chelsea 3-2 from the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final and are progressing in the FA Cup.

Eze continues to receive playing time, albeit not consistently in the Premier League. A favorite of manager Thomas Tuchel, he is hopeful of securing a place in England’s World Cup squad, although the Three Lions’ coach has previously emphasized that being a good teammate alone will not suffice.

This concern may weigh on Eze’s mind as he aims to demonstrate his worth if granted a rare start against Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday.